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Chase’s breath hitched in his chest.
It wasn’t often that it did that.
There were only a few times he remembered his breath catching in his throat like that. The first was when he was demoted back to Interpol and told to cut contact with Julia. The second was when he heard she resigned to work at the university. And then today, when they were supposed to have lunch together only to find out she had been captured by V.I.L.E.
Chase wouldn’t acknowledge aloud that, within the past week, every single instance it felt like the air had been squeezed from his lungs had something to do with Julia.
No, scratch that, they had everything to do with her. Three-for-three in every situation, Chase thought he was going to lose her for good. Despite how much he knew he grated on her nerves sometimes (and, in turn, how much she agitated him too), Chase got nauseous at the thought of never being able to see Julia again.
Now, to see her here, back for good (he hoped), he couldn’t help the way his feet carried him before his brain could rein himself back in. He was never one for genuine, affectionate gestures, but Chase couldn’t help himself.
He stepped forward towards Julia and just… hugged her, arms wrapped around her like he was scared to let go. “A-Agent Devineaux?” She managed, voice softer than it usually was and a little strained, betraying her surprise. Her arms hovered hesitantly at his sides, almost reciprocating the gesture yet waiting for him to say something.
“Do not ever do that to me again, Julia,” Chase whispered, voice uncharacteristically thick, devoid of the usual bluster and confidence he held himself with. Silence passed for only a moment as Jules processed his words, her expression softening as her arms wrapped around his waist.
“Do what, Chase?” She replied finally, running one hand along his spine in an absent motion to soothe him. This was hardly like the agent Chase Devineaux she knew— loud, hardly ever thought before he spoke or acted, and never ever this…
Vulnerable.
“Don’t you ever make me think I am going to lose you again.” The words came choked and rawer than Chase normally would have allowed, but in this moment, he didn’t care.
Julia didn’t need him to elaborate to know what he meant. A breath escaped her as she rested her chin on his shoulder and there was something so natural about the way they fit together. It felt so right. “I won’t,” she said. “I promise, I’m here. I’m back for good.”
Chase’s grip momentarily tightened on her. For a fleeting moment, the world narrowed to just them. There was nothing but the way Julia rested her chin on the curve of Chase’s shoulder, the way he held her with shaking hands, like she was an ancient artifact or something fragile.
Though, the moment was gone as soon as it came. Chase pulled away, cheeks tinged a little red as he spoke again. “I suppose… we should get back to it, non? The world will not save itself.”
And though Julia couldn’t agree more, her world was right here in front of her.